West Little Owyhee River
West Little Owyhee River
Oregon
The West Little Owyhee River is a tributary of the Owyhee River. The source of the river is at an elevation of 6,508 feet (1,984 m) near the Nevada-Oregon border by the community of McDermitt, Nevada. Approximately 57 miles (91.7 km) in length, the river flows east by Deer Flat and into Louse Canyon. Near a prominent feature known as Twin Buttes, it turns sharply north as it cuts through the Owyhee Desert, making its way to the Owyhee River. The river is recognized for its remarkable scenery, wildlife, and opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation.
Designated Reach
October 28, 1988. From its headwaters to its confluence with the Owyhee River.
Outstandingly Remarkable Values
Recreation
This river segment offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Off-trail backpacking and day hikes with the challenging opportunity to travel by swimming and hiking is a major attraction of this area. Excellent wildlife viewing and hunting are available due to the richness of the area's fauna. Dispersed camping is allowed, although the watershed has no developed parks or campsites.
Scenery
The designated river corridor is characterized by the stark contrast between the inner canyon and the typically flat sagebrush plateau through which it runs. The river itself offers many cool, clear, secluded pools that are confined by sheer rock walls whose colorful, abstract beauty is the product of eons of erosion and weathering. The rugged canyon walls have kept humans and livestock from impacting the vegetation, enhancing the stark beauty of the canyon.
Wildlife
The Owyhee River Canyon, including the West Little Owyhee, and adjacent sagebrush desert lands on the rims provide diverse habitat for over 200 species of wildlife. Birds are especially abundant, both in number of species and number of individuals. Much of this pristine canyon is used as nesting habitat by a wide variety of raptors, including several hawk species and golden eagles. Chukar partridges frequent the rimrocks and talus slopes, and prairie falcons have a strong presence. Swainson's, ferruginous, and red-tailed hawks, as well as kestrels and northern harriers, are common.
Upland game birds include California quail and Hungarian partridge. Mourning doves visit during breeding season. Sage grouse are common on adjacent benchlands amidst their mixed sagebrush habitat. Winter visitors include Canada geese, mallards, redheads, teals, scaups, mergansers, and grebes.
California bighorn sheep are present, particularly in the vicinity of Toppin Creek Canyon. Pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and white-tailed jackrabbits top the notable list of resident small game and rodents.
Managing Partners And Contacts
Classification/Mileage
Video
This quiet corner of eastern Oregon is home to incredible night skies, maze-like geological formations, and serenity. Immerse yourself into these high desert canyonlands and enjoy every segment of the 120 miles of congressionally designated Wild and Scenic River. Hiking, camping, horseback riding, fishing, wildlife viewing, hunting, and boating are among the recreation opportunities that await you at the "Grand Canyon of Oregon."
